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SKELLEFTEÅ

Over 1,500 people hit by water parasite

As many as 1,500 inhabitants in the municipality of Skellefteå in northern Sweden have confirmed in a survey that they have experienced stomach flu symptoms probably caused by a parasite outbreak.

Published: 21 April 2011 07:44 CEST
Over 1,500 people hit by water parasite

Results from tests of water samples following the parasite infection could be completed on Wednesday.

The web survey conducted by Skellefteå and the Swedish Institute for Communicable Disease Control (Smittskyddsinstitutet – SMI) had been answered by 2,300 residents of the municipality by Wednesday lunchtime. Of those around 60 percent, 1,500 people, confirmed that they experienced stomach flu symptoms since April 1st.

Many complained of having had abdominal pain, diarrhea or gassy stomachs.

The survey has confirmed theories that the stomach flu has probably been caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium could have originated in the municipal water supply, local authorities confirmed at a press conference in Skellefteå on Wednesday.

SMI’s results on drinking water samples, expected at the latest on Thursday could be completed already Thursday afternoon.

“But whatever the outcome, we maintain the recommendations published on our website,” said Skellefteå municipal council head Kristina Jonsson Sundin at the press conference.

She said that the City has had meetings with all of their activities.

Twelve people have been admitted to Skellefteå Hospital with symptoms of stomach flu that can have been caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium. Samples have been taken to determine if their condition is parasite related.

Skellefteå is set to receive help from Östersund, the city in Jämtland which experienced a similar outbreak of stomach illness caused by the Cryptosporidium parasite in November 2010.

It took several months before the water supplies were declared drinkable again.

”There will be a person over here to help us. Their experience is very valuable to us,” said Kristina Sundin Jonsson at the municipality.

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HOCKEY

Skellefteå crushes Luleå for ice hockey gold

Skellefteå AIK capitalized on its third straight trip to the finals of Sweden's top hockey league, the Elitserien, overpowering northern Sweden rivals Luleå to capture its first championship trophy in 35 years.

Published: 19 April 2013 07:07 CEST
Skellefteå crushes Luleå for ice hockey gold
Skellefteå dominates to win Swedish hockey gold

“This is awesome, we really fought for this,” Skellefteå goaltender Joacim Eriksson told Kanal 5 after Thursday night’s 4-0 shutout, his second of the best-of-seven series which saw his team sweep Luleå with four straight victories.

“The whole team has been fantastic the whole time and they give a little extra all the time.”

IN PICTURES: 2013 Elitserien finals: Skellefteå vs Luleå

Heading into the playoffs, Skellefteå was the team to beat after finishing first in 2012-2013 regular season play with 38 wins and 17 loses, while Luleå finished in third place with 34 wins and 21 losses.

But defeating Skellefteä, which clawed its way back to Sweden’s top league in 2006 after 16 years in the second-tier Allsvenskan, proved difficult in the post-season.

Throughout its 13-match playoff march to gold in 2013, Skellefteå lost just once, a 2-3 overtime loss in game one of the semi-finals against Linköping.

SEE ALSO: Embracing Sweden’s ‘ridiculous’ sports

On Thursday night, Skellefteå once again asserted its dominance, jumping out to an early first period lead at Luleå’s Coop Arena on a goal by winger Oscar Möller three and a half minutes into the match.

Skellefteå extended its lead to 2-0 at the 15 minute mark of the first period following a spectacular individual effort by centre Erik Forssel, who powered his way past three Luleå players before jamming the puck past goalie Johan Gustafsson.

From then on, Skellefteå never looked back, with their relentless attack and impenetrable defence keeping Luleå on their heels the entire night.

SEE ALSO: My Sweden – Skellefteå: ‘The northern lights are simply spectacular’

In a last desperate effort to make something happen, Luleå pulled their goalie with four minutes remaining in the game. The move backfired, however, with Forssel flicking a puck into the empty net from centre ice less than 30 seconds later, extinguishing any remaining doubts that Skellefteå would end the night as the best team in Swedish professional hockey.

Skellefteå’s 4-0 sweep was the first in an Elitserien final series since 2003.

“You have to admit that we lost to a much, much better team,” a dejected Luleå head coach Jonas Rönnqvist told Sveriges Television (SVT) following the match.

SEE ALSO: Swedish ice hockey: five fun Elitserien facts

Meanwhile, Skellefteå assistant coach Bert Robertsson could hardly contain his joy as players and coaches stormed the ice and donned the customary gold helmets to celebrate their victory.

“It’s magical,” he told Kanal 5.

“This is what it’s all about. We’ve fought and fought and fought. So many have worked so hard behind the scenes. It seems fair that we’re being rewarded for all the work we’ve put in.”

Victor Arvidsson, Skellefteå’s up and coming winger who turned 20 earlier in the month and notched five goals during the playoffs summed things up with a smile.

“We played as well as we could. We had nothing to lose,” he told Kanal 5.

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